Commencement Ceremonies

Congratulations to our graduating students! Learn about ceremonies and important tasks to complete prior to graduation.

Faculty Attending Commencement

Information for faculty who wish to participate in commencement can be found on the Faculty and Staff webpage.

Spring (May) Commencement Ceremony

The College of Agricultural Sciences holds its own spring commencement ceremony in the Pegula Ice Arena - May 11, 2025.

Summer (August) and Fall (December) Commencement Ceremonies

The University combines and organizes commencement ceremonies for the summer and fall semesters. More information regarding these ceremonies can be found on the University's Commencement website.

Student Tasks Prior to Graduation (for all ceremonies)

Apply for Graduation

Students must apply for graduation in LionPATH during the Intent to Graduate Activation Period. If you miss this intent period, please contact your academic advisor to notify your major's Program Coordinator to add your name to the graduation list.

Information on how to set your intent to graduate and activation periods can be found on the Penn State Registrar's website.

Please note: If your intent is filed late, your name may not appear in the commencement program.

Procedure for Re-enrollment for Graduation Purposes Only

When a student wishes to graduate but is not currently enrolled in courses here at Penn State, the student must complete this specific Re-enrollment form, "Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form - Graduating ONLY, not enrolling in classes"

This online form must be printed out, signed, and returned to the Registrar's Office via:

  • Fax to 814-863-1929
  • Email to esmail@psu.edu
  • Hand carry to the UP Registrar office (112 Shields Bldg.)
  • Surface mail to:
  • Office of the University Registrar
  • Attn.: Enrollment Services
  • 112 Shields Building
  • University Park, PA 16802-1271

Once the form is received at the Registrar's office, the Registrar staff will notify your college that you wish to re-enroll for graduation purposes only and be added to the current graduation list. The College will notify your major program coordinator for approval to add you to the graduation list.

Transferring credits to Penn State to finish your degree requirements

It is important for students who plan to fulfill degree requirements using transfer credits to meet with their academic adviser well in advance of graduation to discuss your plans. Your academic advisor as well as the Program Coordinator of your major must be apprised of the school and course number from which the transfer credits are expected. This must be reported to them when the course is scheduled.

Students are responsible for ensuring that their transfer credits are transferred to Penn State in time to remain on the graduation list. This could require you to follow-up to make sure your credits were sent and have arrived at Penn State. The transfer credit deadline for graduation is typically just prior to the date of the commencement ceremony.

The student is then responsible for any petitions needed to place their transfer credits into the correct positions on their degree audit.

If your credits are not transferred to Penn State prior to the deadline for the current semester, the student is required to re-enroll for graduation purposes only again the following semester.

Requesting to "Walk" in our commencement ceremony

Students who would like to "walk" (but are not graduating) in our commencement ceremony must be within no more than 2 courses (or 8 credits) from meeting all graduation requirements and be registered to complete these courses the following semester. Contact your academic adviser to request permission to "walk" in our ceremony. Please note - your name will not be printed in the ceremony program, but you may cross the stage and have your name read. You must then apply to graduate the following semester in order to receive your diploma.

Student Walkers
It will be your responsibility to notify your advisor and the program coordinator (PC) of your major of your intent to graduate in a future semester.
If you intend to transfer pre-approved courses to complete your degree requirements, you must:

  1. Communicate with the PC to ascertain the deadline to get the transfer credits to Penn State
  2. Complete a re-enrollment for graduation only request with the Penn State Registrar's office
  3. Keep the PC and your advisor informed of your progress in the completion of the course(s)
  4. Initiate the transfer of your credits to the Penn State Undergraduate Admissions office by the deadline to graduate that semester

If you are planning to complete your coursework at Penn State you must remember to apply for graduation in LionPATH (during the intent to graduate period) in order to be added to the graduation list (for your degree to be conferred and then issued).

Degree Audit

Review your degree audit to verify that your degree requirements are all met or in progress. Contact your adviser if you would have any issues.

Verify Name and Address with the Registrar

Review LionPATH to ensure your name and address are correct for diploma & mailing accuracy. Watch for an email from the University Registrar's office that instructs you to make any necessary updates to your Penn State record (name and address information) for your diploma.

Requesting to graduate at an Alternate Site

The option of attending a commencement ceremony at another Penn State campus is available to baccalaureate and associate degree students. Students may ask to attend commencement exercises at a Penn State campus not assigned to them. To make this request, the student should submit the appropriate alternative commencement site request form following the process below.

Process:

  1. Complete either the Baccalaureate Alternate Site form or the Associate Alternate Site form.
  2. Present the completed form to the Graduation Coordinator in the Associate Dean’s office (attention Kathy Pletcher kjs8@psu.edu) before the eleventh week of the semester.

More information can be found on the Penn State Registrar's website.

Marching Order Slides at the Ceremony

The University provides a slide show at each ceremony that will include a slide for each graduate with their name and major. You will also receive an email to review that slide and information - please watch your Penn State email for this.

Academic Distinction Cords - pick up in 101 Ag. Admin. Building

Seniors who have earned an academic distinction are eligible to receive an academic distinction cord to wear with your approved academic dress at commencement. You will be notified by the College to pick up your honor cord in 101 Ag Admin if you are eligible to receive one. Distinction levels are determined by the cumulative GPA at the end of the previous semester. If students earn a higher level once final grades are received, then adjustments will be made.

Students who are graduating Summa Cum Laude will receive a blue and white cord, students who are graduating Magna Cum Laude will receive a blue cord, and students who are graduating Cum Laude will receive a white cord.

Military Honor cords are red, white, and blue and are issued by either your ROTC office or Office of Veteran's Programs.

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns can be purchased at the Penn State Bookstore (HUB) or the Student Bookstore (downtown).

Graduate Outcome Survey

Graduates will be invited (via an email from the Associate Dean) to complete the Post-Grad Outcome Survey. By completing this survey, students will join a history of seniors whose input has helped to shape the experiences of current and future Penn Staters. We want to know about each graduate's past experiences and future plans. Graduates are reminded to update the survey as they solidify their future plans in the weeks ahead.

Diploma Distribution

Diplomas will be mailed approximately four weeks after the commencement ceremony to the students' permanent residence or LionPATH diploma mailing address.